Robert Gleason was repeatedly praised by San Diego City Councilmembers shortly before they voted 8-0 on July 20 to confirm him as a member of the board of directors for the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority.

Gleason, who Mayor Jerry Sanders nominated, replaces former U.S. Attorney Alan Bersin who resigned to take a job in President Obama’s administration. Gleason, an attorney with a long history of service within the GLBT community and elsewhere, will serve until his term expires on Jan. 31, 2011.

“I think many of you know me and my love of San Diego and my years of working on a number of various business and charitable interests,” Gleason told the council before the vote.

“What all those things have in common is trying to make San Diego a better place, trying to work in a group and trying to build consensus, to turn plans into reality,” said Gleason.

Councilmember Carl DeMaio made the motion to confirm his appointment, and Councilmember Kevin Faulconer seconded it. Gleason will serve with Councilmember Tony Young, who is also a delegate.

Young said Gleason “understands the big picture of San Diego, and what its needs are, economically, as to what it needs are for air capacity.”

“What I found out about Robert is, you give him a project and he gets it done,” said Councilmember Todd Gloria. “Your many years in the tourism industry, I think you’ve become very helpful.”

“Our tourism industry is a very important part of our local economy. We are dependent on our airport to support that particular industry,” said Gloria. “I think you’re going to bring really valuable insight to the Airport Authority Board.”

“I don’t think there’s a better choice out there, and, Robert, I appreciate your willingness to serve,” said Gloria.

Gleason has served as chief financial officer and general counsel of Evans Hotels since 1983. He also lectures at San Diego State University’s school of hospitality and tourism management, and is a licensed real estate broker.

Gleason was named the Champion of Pride in 2009 and has served on the board of the GLBT Community Center since 2001. He and his spouse, Marc, live in Kensington with their two children. He also serves on the Commission for Arts and Culture and previously served on GLBT advisory boards for former Mayor Richard Murphy and Congressmember Bob Filner.

In 2008, Gleason received the Spirit of Justice Award from the Metropolitan Community Church for his fundraising work on the “No on Prop. 8” campaign. He also sits on the board of directors of the Old Globe Theatre.

“I would just say, Mr. Gleason, your business background is going to be extremely helpful on this board,” said Faulconer. “I appreciate your willingness to serve and to volunteer your time once again for the city of San Diego.”